Super Saturday Slate: AFL Round 24 DraftStars Breakdown & AI Top Picks
Round 24 serves up a monster four-game Saturday slate, kicking off at the Cattery before heading under the roof at Marvel, down to the MCG for an old-fashioned Dees-Dogs battle, and finishing with a high-stakes clash at Adelaide Oval. With finals positions on the line, expect fierce contest, massive tackling numbers, and huge individual ceiling games.
Our FootyBets.ai model crunched the numbers, and a few clear standouts emerged across the board. Here is who you need on your radar for Saturday's DFS contests:
The AI Core Targets
- Izak Rankine (Adelaide Crows, MID | Proj: 124.5 pts): The ultimate match-winner. Rankine features in 100% of the AI's top builds thanks to his explosive midfield bursts, clearance dominance, and dangerous forward-half scoring against the Giants at home.
- Lachlan Carmichael (Western Bulldogs, DEF | Proj: 54.1 pts): Another 10/10 lineup lock. Carmichael provides dependable defensive output at the MCG, soaking up intercepts and rebound opportunities in what promises to be a high-tackle slugfest against the Demons.
- Patrick Retschko (Richmond, MID | Proj: 79.8 pts): Also appearing in all 10 optimal lineups, Retschko’s relentless engine and contested ball-winning ability make him an essential anchor in your midfield setup down at Kardinia Park.
- Jordan Clark (Fremantle, DEF | Proj: 92.9 pts): Built for pristine conditions at Docklands. Clark's elite run-and-carry off half-back generates uncontested marks and long meters gained, giving him a massive fantasy ceiling against the Blues.
- Toby Nankervis (Richmond, RUC | Proj: 103.3 pts): 'Nank' is the model's preferred ruck anchor, popping up in 7 of 10 builds. His ability to act as an extra on-baller with huge tackle counts makes him a safe bet for triple figures.
- Jack Steele (Melbourne, MID | Proj: 95.9 pts): Appears in 60% of lineups. Steele relishes physical MCG contests, and his tackling floor combined with clearance work makes him a prime target against the Bulldogs.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- Ruck (RUC): Lock in Toby Nankervis for pure stoppage volume, or look to Samson Ryan if you want an alternative structure.
- Defenders (DEF): Anchor your backline with the explosive run of Jordan Clark alongside the steady output of Lachlan Carmichael.
- Midfielders (MID): Pay up for ceiling with Izak Rankine and Jordan Dawson, while surrounding them with relentless workhorses like Patrick Retschko and Tim Taranto.
- Forwards (FWD): Prioritise high-involvement link-up players like Alex Neal-Bullen, Christian Salem, and Gryan Miers who push into the midfield to rack up cheap uncontested touches.
Scroll down to view our AI’s Top 10 fully generated optimal lineups and lock in your winning combinations for Saturday!